WORKSHOPS

Want A WORKSHOP in your area? Click here to send us an email!

Click here for details of upcoming & past performances and other events

HULA/OLI WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 – LONDON

All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by a participating adult)
Open level – no experience needed
FAQs

Location: Lounge Studio (ground floor), Academy Mews, 15 Pratt Mews, London, NW1 0AD

HULA WORKSHOP
11:30 – 1pm

Perfect for a sunny Saturday morning! We’ll warm up gently then learn some basic footwork and arm patterns. Then we’ll talk about the background to and language in the mele (song/poetry) before going on to learn the hula. This will be a hula ʻauana (modern type) rooted in Hawaiʻi (not Hollywood or hapa haole)

HULA WORKSHOP ONLY – £25 – PAY HERE

OLI WORKSHOP
1.15 – 2.45pm

Want to start learning hula kahiko? Language nerd? Interested in exploring a different way to connect with Hawaiian culture and the world around us? In this workshop we’ll learn some Hawaiian language basics, chant techniques and build energy by learning an oli (chant text) and chanting together as a group

OLI WORKSHOP ONLY – £25 – PAY HERE

BOOK BOTH AND SAVE! HULA + OLI – £40 – PAY HERE

Any questions? Please email Tamsin or check out the FAQs below

Interested in weekly Zoom classes? Click here

WORKSHOP FAQs

What should I wear?
– T-shirt or tank or long sleeve; no spaghetti straps, strapless, crop tops, sports or other bras; no bare backs/bellies
– Pāʻū (hula skirt); beginners can start with any sarong/pareo wrapped or tied at knee-length or longer
– Leggings, joggers or knee-length shorts underneath
– If you don’t have a hula skirt or pareo, standard gym gear is OK (t-shirt, joggers, knee-length shorts etc.)
– Men wear a t-shirt and knee-length shorts or joggers
– All genders: hair is neat and long hair is tied up/back (ponytail, bun, hairband etc.)
– Minimal jewellery only
– Barefoot is standard; if you need to wear something on your feet make sure it is non-slip
– Please no fake lei or oversize hair accessories – especially not plastic (our oceans thank you 🧡)

Why don’t you teach hula kahiko at workshops?
E kala mai, but learning hula kahiko is a commitment that extends beyond a one-off workshop or class. Taking both these workshops will give a taste of the skills you’ll need to realise these mele properly, avoiding misappropriation of culture or lineage

I’ve never danced (hula) before / I’ve never chanted before! Is this for me?
If you’ve never seen or danced hula, have never danced at all, or are coming from a different dance or cultural discipline, these workshops do not require prior knowledge or experience and will help you start building a solid foundation in both skills

Is hula just for women?
Not at all. Hula is open to everyone. There are often (but not always) distinct women’s and men’s styles of dancing within a school, which differ at a technical level, but everyone learns the same mele and skills

I’m an advanced/professional hula dancer, is this for me?
If you dance with another hālau or group, please respect protocol and get permission to attend.
Everyone’s welcome, and there’s always something new to learn 😊

Can my child attend these workshops?
HHUK events are open to anyone aged 6 and over, but please note under 16s must be accompanied/supervised by a participating adult

What else do I need to bring?
– Water
– Some way to take notes (paper & pen, note-taking app etc.)
Please note audio and video recordings are not permitted or provided
– Optional but helpful to carry around: Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary, Mary Pukui & Samuel Ebert